with all the calumnious epithets which the ingenuity of angry men
can devise, because he is exercising that ingenuity the
possession of which on his part is the foundation of fox-hunting.
There you will remain, nursing your horse, listening to chaff,
and hoping. But even when the fox does go, your difficulties may
be but beginning.

It is possible he may have gone on your side of the wood; but
much more probable that he should have taken the other. He loves
not that crowd that has been abusing him, and steals away from
some silent distant corner. You, who are a beginner, hear nothing
of his going; and when you rush off, as you will do with others,
you will hardly know at first why the rush is made. But some one
with older eyes and more experienced ears has seen signs and
heard sounds, and knows that the fox is away. Then, my friend,
you have your place to win, and it may be that the distance shall
be too great to allow of your winning it. Nothing but experience
will guide you safely through these difficulties.

In drawing forests or woodlands your course is much clearer.
There is no question, then, of standing still and waiting with
patience, tobacco, and chaff for the coming start. The area to be
drawn is too large to admit of waiting, and your only duty is to
stay as close to the hounds as your ears and eyes will
permit, remembering always that your ears should serve you much
more often than your eyes. And in woodland hunting that which you
thus see and hear is likely to be your amusement for the day.
There is "ample room and verge enough" to run a fox down without
any visit to the open country, and by degrees, as a true love of
hunting comes upon you in place of a love of riding, you will